TSOL and Anti-Nowhere League - The Observatory - May 16, 2014

Friday was night Punk-o-rama night in Santa Ana, as hundreds swarmed to see hometown heroes TSOL and UK political punk party animals Anti-Nowhere League.

The headliners, fronted by punk legend and Weekly columnist Jack Grisham, emerged on stage around 11 p.m. to the packed walls of the Observatory. Many of the gushing fans who came with their families had obviously been coming to TSOL shows since back in the '80s.

Throughout the set, the moshing crowd was only made more intense by the sheer athleticism and stealthiness of stage divers, which ensured the Observatory security had their work cut out for them. From middle aged inebriated women (one of whom who made it onstage to bear hug Grisham), to longhaired stoners, thrashers and skate punks, dozens of people made it on stage, while many more attempted but were thrown back in the pit by security.

"I don't even drink anymore and I'm disgusted by the amount of beer that's being wasted by you punks!" Grisham yelled in the middle of the band's set as half empty tall cans of $9 dollar Pabst Blue Ribbon went hurled across the room.

TSOL's apparent lack of a set list made way for a very impulsive punk rock show but included most of the band's classic tunes, including 'Dance With Me,' Superficial Love,' 'Sounds of Laughter,' 'World War III," 'Fuck You Tough Guy,' 'Code Blue,' and tons more.

Guitarist Ron Emory, bassist Mike Roche have playing music in punk bands for three decades, and the sounds of their instruments seem physically in sync. "We've been friends for 41 years," Emory told the crowd in between songs. Along with drummer Tiny Biasco and keyboardist Greg Kuehn, the band all provided the perfect musical backdrop of classic OC late '80s hardcore punk and death rock that TSOL helped to create. But, along with this darkness came a sense of excitement that radiated from Grisham, who skanked around the stage with a constant smile, wearing a formal dress shirt and tie, and black and white striped dress.

"Ah yes, the concept of getting rid of government never gets old does it?" Grisham said to the crowd with a grin before diving into the song 'Abolish Government/Silent Majority.'
More than halfway through the set, a skinny punk jumped on stage, skanked up to Grisham and tore of his dress before swiftly stage diving back into the mayhem of the slam pit. 'You're lucky that I have good enough legs to make this into a mini skirt!' Grisham told the crowd as he ripped his dress by hand and continued with the concluding of the band's outstanding 90-minute set.